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-Press Release, Granville County Government

On August 11, the U.S. Census Bureau began follow-ups with households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census.

In Granville County, 63.7 percent of residents have participated as of August 10, which is above the North Carolina response rate of 59.4 and the national reported participation of 63.4 percent; however, more than four in every ten households across the state have not yet returned their Census surveys, according to state reports. This represents more than four million North Carolinians not captured in the population count, which equates to a potential funding loss of more than $7 billion.

In most cases, Census takers will make up to six attempts at each housing unit address. This includes leaving notification of the attempted visit at the door, with a reminder about self-response options. Census workers may also try to conduct interviews over the phone.

All Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols and will follow local public health guidelines. They will be required to wear face masks and will have easily-recognizable identification badges that include a photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.

Household members encountered by Census staff are asked to maintain social distances during interviews and to practice the CDC’s health recommendations as much as possible, including the use of hand sanitizer. For safety reasons, Census takers will not enter homes and will conduct interviews outside whenever possible or practical.

During this follow-up phase, all residents can still self-respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mailing their completed questionnaires. There will be no need for in-person visits for those who respond unless the responses are incomplete.

Field data collection will end on September 30. Self-response options will also close on that date.

A county-focused report from the NC Counts Coalition ranks Granville County as number 14 out of 100 North Carolina counties in terms of response rates and shows that 45.8 percent of Granville households have responded to the Census online between March 12 and August 2, with 17.4 percent participating by phone or by mail.

The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and takes place every 10 years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and to inform how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next ten years.

Historically, Granville County’s self-response rates have been 60 percent in 1990; 64 percent in 2000; and 65.7 percent in 2010. This is the first year that responses have been accepted online.

For more information, please visit www.2020census.gov.

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Government

A local appeal from Granville County Government has been mailed out to encourage county-wide participation in the 2020 Census. As of June 9, roughly 60 percent of Granville’s population has responded. 

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is used to determine how billions of dollars in federal funding is distributed. “We’d love to get as many people as we can to complete the census, and in turn hopefully see more dollars come to Granville County,” remarked Comm. Tony Cozart, who made the motion to approve this mailing at the June 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. 

Census results will also determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, as well as political representation at all levels of government.

The 2020 Census can be completed by mail, by phone or online in thirteen languages. This is the first year that three options have been made available for a more convenient response. Completed surveys are kept confidential and are protected by law for 72 years. 

Those responding by mail should complete and return the questionnaire received in their mailbox earlier this year, which includes a Census ID. Other options are to call 1-844-330-2020 to respond by phone (1-844-468-2020 for Spanish-speaking residents) or to visit my2020census.gov to respond online. 

Those who do not have a Census ID should visit the my2020census.gov website, click on START QUESTIONNAIRE, and click below the login where the following prompt is displayed:  “If you don’t have a Census ID, click here.” Then, simply answer the questions. 

Granville County is currently ranked in the top 20 in the statewide response report, tying with Mecklenburg and Craven Counties. As of June 9, the statewide response rate is reported at 57.1 percent.

On a more local level, the Town of Stem continues to lead Granville County’s response rates at 67.7 percent, followed by the City of Creedmoor at 60.6 percent, the Town of Butner at 57.6 percent, the City of Oxford at 57 percent and the Town of Stovall at 18.1 percent.  

Self-response surveys will be accepted through Oct. 31, with Census workers scheduled to visit non-responsive households beginning Aug. 11. Those assigned to follow up door-to-door will be trained to practice social distancing and to follow health guidelines. According to an update sent through the North Carolina State Data Center, Area Census offices in our state are now re-opening, with census workers currently in the field dropping off Update/Leave packets to households in remote and rural areas.

Appropriations for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency response and many other community needs are determined by population, which is reflected through Census data every decade. “We all know how important this is for federal and state dollars, as we’re seeing this through the COVID crisis,” reminded Granville County Board Chair David Smith. “Let’s all do our part to make Granville County count.”

The Census appeal, signed by Sandy Woody, Addressing/GIS Manager and the county’s liaison for the 2020 Census, was mailed out on June 10 and is available for viewing on the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.